Committee on Science & the Arts

The Franklin Institute's Committee on Science and the Arts was established in 1824 as the Committee on Inventions. It was reorganized into its present form in 1834. Its mission is to sustain the scientific character of The Franklin Institute through its investigation of worldwide scientific and technological achievements and its recommendation for the awarding of the Benjamin Franklin Medals in the fields of: Chemistry, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Computer and Cognitive Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Life Science, and Physics. The Committee maintains a very high standard for awarding medals and uses the following selection criteria:

The Committee carefully selects candidates using a thorough case investigation process to recognize those scientists and engineers who lead their fields, expand knowledge, challenge standards, and serve humanity.

The achievement of a nominated individual must be an invention, discovery, technological development, or a body of such work reflecting uncommon insight, skill, or creativity.

The work must have substantial scientific value and/or proven utility. It must have provided significant direction for future research, solved an important technological problem, or provided great benefit to the public.

Candidates for the award must be living persons.

The Committee considers individuals from all over the world.

Committee members who become case sponsors prosecute their nomination cases for Benjamin Franklin Medals before the full Committee for review and action. Following two successful case readings to the Committee (including a review of letters of evaluation solicited from preeminent experts in the field of the case), the nomination is forwarded to the Institute's Board of Trustees for final review and approval. During the following April, medalists are brought together at The Franklin Institute for the annual Awards Week and Awards Ceremony and Dinner.

The all-volunteer Committee is composed of scientists and engineers from academia and industry. Meeting regularly throughout the year, the Committee has a reputation of diligence and integrity. Their work is at the heart of The Franklin Institute's mission to promote science and technology and provides a valuable service to the public and the scientific community.